FLOOD waters are receding around Rugby after the River Avon reached record levels last night.
The Avon was measured at just over 3.6m in Rugby last night – beating the previous record of 3.5m set in April 1998.
Rugby Borough Council said this morning (Thursday) river levels have now peaked, and remaining flood water will slowly drain off.
Unprecedented floods sprang up all around the borough yesterday, causing chaos for motorists and rail travellers.
Water up to a metre deep built up around flood-defence walls at houses in Brafield Leys, and flowed into the street.
Yelvertoft high street was completely waterlogged, prompting a water rescue boat to take to the street and ferry stranded villagers back and forth.
Flood waters a foot deep flowed into roads, driveways and gardens in Draycote after the brook which winds through the hamlet burst its banks.
Draycote resident Ioan Morgan said the flooding occurred despite an expensive flood alleviation scheme being introduced some two years ago.
Observer reader Pete Mistry said it was ‘getting a little too close for comfort’ at Waterside Drive, which backs on to the River Avon, as water levels continued to rise. He added: “I’ve lived in Rugby my whole life; I’ve never seen it this bad.”
Fire and rescue services attended incidents in Kenilworth, Princethorpe, Baginton, Stoneleigh, Gaydon, Wolston, Wellesbourne, Great Alne and Hampton on the Hill.
Rail commuters were stranded at the town’s train station after flooding affected London Midland trains. Severe flooding at tunnels near Crick, Long Buckby and Kilsby affected train services between London Euston and Birmingham New Street.
